New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Politics

Recently, bills that restrict teaching critical race theory have been introduced in 27 states. In a city as diverse as New York, education about racism is extremely important. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: Opponents of critical race theory fail to understand its design

The rage against critical race theory comes from a place of ignorance. Education about racism is essential for students of all ages.
Alexis Tretschok, Staff Writer September 10, 2021

Over the summer, Republican legislators commenced a new phase in the ongoing debate regarding how to teach history classes about our nation's controversial policymakers. In June,...

In light of Texas passing a law banning abortions after six weeks, many memes comparing the law to the novel The Handmaid’s Tale have been posted on social media. These memes ignore the people most historically impacted by reproductive rights — people of color. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: White women, Texas is not your personal ‘Handmaid’s Tale’

In response to a Texas law banning abortions after six weeks, many white women posted memes comparing the law to Margaret Atwood's novel “The Handmaid's Tale.” But these memes ignore the history of those most affected by this new law: people of color.
Srishti Bungle, Deputy Opinion Editor September 9, 2021

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law in May banning all abortions past the six-week mark and allowing private citizens to sue abortion providers, abortion seekers and those enabling...

The 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 is approaching this year. NYU has not done much to protect its Muslim, Arab, and South Asian students from racism, xenophobia, and Islamophobia, many of whom are international students who may now know how to protect themselves. (Staff Photo by Trace Miller)

Opinion: NYU needs to protect Arab and Muslim students on the anniversary of 9/11

As the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 approaches, vulnerable populations are bracing themselves once more for the anniversary of one of the most infamous terrorist attacks. What will NYU do to protect students who are worried about what this anniversary means for their safety?
Srishti Bungle, Deputy Opinion Editor September 2, 2021

The world changed on Sept. 11, 2001. Following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, former President George Bush announced a War on Terror, created the Department of...

NYU continues construction on 181 Mercer Street in SoHo gentrifying the area. Mayor DeBlasio’s plan for affordable housing in the area does not serve the public interest of the surrounding area. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Opinion: De Blasio’s rezoning plan is gentrification in the making

Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged to increase access to affordable housing for SoHo, NoHo and Chinatown residents with a controversial upzoning plan. The plan, however, will likely instead increase gentrification in NYU’s backyard and reduce net affordable housing. The City Planning Commision should reject it outright.
Asha Ramachandran, Opinion Editor September 1, 2021

Last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office introduced a rezoning plan targeting much of SoHo, NoHo and parts of Chinatown. The city has emphasized the plan’s potential to create...

N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in disgrace on Aug. 10 after an official investigation confirmed he had sexually harassed at least 11 women. Although public pressure compelled Cuomo to resign, a mere resignation is not sufficient to properly hold him accountable. (Image via Wikimedia Commons, Staff Photo and Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: Cuomo Must Never Hold Office Again

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced his resignation. We must do everything in our power to prevent his political comeback.
Kevin Kurian, Opinion Editor August 25, 2021

Note: This article contains mentions of sexual assault which may be triggering to some readers. Please proceed with caution. A notorious sexual predator left New York’s highest...

New York got its first vaccine passport app which is the first government-issued immunity pass in the country. However, the prospect of widespread use of a vaccine passport has prompted both critics and supporters. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: A premature vaccine passport can threaten public health and equity

The vaccine passport has arrived in New York and is being debated around the country. Vaccine hesitancy poses a fundamental challenge to reaching herd immunity – therefore, a vaccine passport is contingent on increased vaccination efforts.
Lucy Yama, Staff Writer May 6, 2021

The stark ideological and political divide between American conservatives and liberals has been considered a proxy for one’s views on pandemic-related mandates, including mask-wearing...

Protestors march in Manhattan as part of a climate strike. Sustainability movements must recognize the need for intersectionality. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Opinion: Let’s include voices of color into the sustainability movement

The sustainability movement needs to take strides to become more intersectional and community oriented.
Batoul Saleh, Staff Writer May 5, 2021

For the most part, Earth Day inspires people to post on social media with calls to action about the climate, the environment and how we, as individuals, can combat these changes....

Although the modern college campus is perceived to be filled with liberal and leftist students, professors, and policies, there is no shortage of young college republicans. Some young conservative activists claim that ideological diversity is under attack whenever their opinions are challenged. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Opinion: When campus conservatives invoke ‘ideological diversity,’ don’t take them seriously

While conservative movements on campus stress the importance of ideological diversity, there's a price to pay for supporting the movement.
Srishti Bungle, Staff Writer May 4, 2021

The modern college campus is perceived to be rife with liberal and leftist students, professors and policies, especially by conservatives. Though this narrative gained traction...

A community leader speaks out against Asian hate crimes during a protest. The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that attempts to address the rising tide of these hate crimes. (Photo by Suhail Gharaibeh)

Opinion: The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act aids and abets a racist policing system

This bill does not effectively address the recent rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans. It will simply increase harmful policing that most negatively impacts Black and other communities of color.
Srishti Bungle, Staff Writer May 3, 2021

On Thursday, April 22, the U.S. Senate passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act. The Act passed 94-1, sweeping the narrowly divided Senate floor in a near-unanimous decision. The Act,...

On April 26, the Supreme Court announced that it would review a New York law that restricted the ability to carry a gun outside the home. This is the first time the Supreme Court has taken up this issue in over a decade. (Staff Photo by Taylor Knight)

Opinion: Conservative win in Second Amendment case could spur liberal court reform

Last Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to review a lower court decision regarding the Second Amendment, making this the first time the court has taken up this issue in over a decade. While gun rights activists are almost surely going to win, liberals may be able to turn it around and push for further court reform.
Emily Dai, Opinion Editor May 3, 2021

On April 26, the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it would review a longstanding New York law that restricted the ability to carry a gun outside the home. New York State Rifle...

NYU YDSA to announce tuition strike Friday. The strike comes on the heels of the graduate student union strike. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan, Illustration by Graciela Blandon)

Opinion: NYU Student Tuition Strike: Stronger Together

An open letter to the NYU community from Jake Colosa, NYU Young Democratic Socialists of America co-chair, on behalf of NYU YDSA.
Jake Colosa, Contributing Writer April 30, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted more than a year, and it hasn’t been easy. After being sent home suddenly, many of us spent a year alone, struggling to keep up with our coursework...

Police officers ride by Bobst. Mayoral candidate Andrew Yangs policies do nothing to curb the issue of police power in New York City. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Opinion: Andrew Yang’s police reform plan is insufficient

New York City needs a mayor that will tackle police brutality with bold and radical reform. Andrew Yang’s current proposal imitates the timid nature of past proposals while simultaneously avoiding the true source of the problem.
Lucy Yama, Contributing Writer April 30, 2021

In the wake of Derek Chauvin’s conviction, the former officer who murdered George Floyd, New York City mayoral candidates, have renewed calls for police reform. There is a vigorous...